Description
Black bean burgers with pineapple salsa are hearty vegetarian burgers packed with black beans, oats, spices, and fresh vegetables. Topped with a sweet and tangy pineapple salsa, these burgers offer a flavorful and nutritious alternative to traditional meat burgers, perfect for a satisfying dinner or main course.
Ingredients
For the Black Bean Burgers
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup quick oats
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for cooking
For the Pineapple Salsa
- 1½ cups fresh pineapple, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Serving
- 4 hamburger buns
- Lettuce leaves
- Avocado slices, optional
- Mayonnaise or spicy mayo, optional
Instructions
- Mash the Beans: Pat the black beans dry with paper towels. Add them to a large bowl and mash with a fork until mostly broken down, leaving some texture for a good burger consistency.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the oats, red onion, bell pepper, garlic, egg, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the mashed beans. Mix everything until well combined.
- Let Batter Rest: Allow the mixture to rest for 5–10 minutes so that the oats can absorb moisture, helping the patties bind together better.
- Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into firm patties approximately ¾-inch thick to ensure they hold together during cooking.
- Heat the Skillet: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for frying the patties.
- Cook Patties: Place the patties in the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side, flipping carefully once they are browned, until the burgers are heated through and have a nice crust.
- Prepare Pineapple Salsa: While the burgers cook, combine the diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Stir gently to blend the flavors.
- Toast Buns: Toast the hamburger buns if desired for added texture and flavor.
- Assemble Burgers: Layer lettuce leaves on the buns, add a black bean patty, and top with a generous spoonful of pineapple salsa. Add avocado slices or mayonnaise/spicy mayo if you like, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Chilling the shaped patties for 20–30 minutes before cooking helps them hold together better if they feel too soft.
- Avoid making patties too thin; thicker patties maintain their shape more effectively during cooking.
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax egg made by mixing 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water.
- Alternatively, you can bake the patties at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through for an oven-cooked option.
- Add jalapeño into the burger mixture if you prefer extra heat in the patties.
- Cooked patties can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months to extend their shelf life.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Burgers, Vegetarian
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
